sweep hand

noun

Horology.

a hand, usually a second hand, centrally mounted with the minute and hour hands of a timepiece and reaching to the edge of the dial.

sweep hand

noun

horology a long hand that registers seconds or fractions of seconds on the perimeter of the dial

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sweep hand¹

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If something accidentally drops on the floor, for instance, the best way to find it is to systematically sweep hands in a wide circle to make sure no part of the surface is left unexplored.

From

This clock is a regulator with a seconds' pendulum and sweep hand on an enameled dial.

From

This also said six o’clock, but the sweep hand did not move.

From

Inside the shell of the Cosmos XII, Lance, sitting flat on his back against gravity, looked up at the sweep hands on the control deck clocks and hurried through his pre-jump check list.

From

The sweep hand only moved when he looked at it, apparently.

From

sweeper sweeping

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